Electric single-track vehicular toy



Aug. 3, 1965 A. GlRZ 3,198,136

ELECTRIC SINGLE-TRACK VEHICULAR TOY Filed Dec. 6. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 3, 1965 A. GIRZ 3,198,136

ELECTRIC SINGLE-TRACK VEHICULAR TOY Filed Dec. 6. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 8

ZfZZZ/////%fi "FIG.9

United States Patent 3,198,136 ELECTRIC SINGLE-TRACK VEHHCULAR TQY Alexander Girz, Nurnherg, Germany, assignor to Schreyer & Co., Nurnberg, Germany, a German corporation Filed Dec. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 74,203 6 Claims. (Cl. 104-148) My invention relates to single-track vehicular toys and particularly to toys that comprise one or more driven vehicles steered by means of a swiveled, leading Wheel which rides on a single guiding track. Such toys are known from US. Patent No. 2,821,938 of H. Muller.

In contrast to double-track vehicular toys, such as toy railroads, the known single-track toys are not suitable for electric operation of the vehicles from a current source connected to the track. It has been necessary, therefore, to provide each individual toy vehicle with a spring-driven motor whose running time, after each windup, is rather limited. It is also possible to provide each vehicle with an electric motor and a battery, but in this case the use of individual current sources on the vehicles is inconvenient and the size of each vehicle becomes inconveniently large for many purposes.

It is an object of my invention to improve single-track vehicular toys of the above-mentioned type so as to afford electric operation of one or more simultaneously travelling vehicles by supplying electric current through the single track to the vehicle motor from any suitable source, particularly from a step-down transformer connected to a utility line.

To this end, and in accordance with a feature of my invention, I provide the individual vehicle of such a singletrack toy with an electric drive motor of the type whose running direction does not depend upon the polarity of the energizing current. Such motors are also known as universal-type motors and, usually can be operated with either direct current or alternating current. Preferably, and in accordance with another feature of my invention, I employ a motor with a field winding that is connected with the armature circuit of the motor through a polereversing switch, thus permitting a change in polarity or phase relation of the motor field with respect to the armature current to make the vehicle run in the forward or reverse direction as desired. I further provide the vehicle with two contact brushes engageable with the single track and spaced from each other longitudinally of the track for supplying electric current from the track through the motor.

According to another feature of my invention the single track for guiding the above-mentioned swiveled leading wheel of the vehicle consists essentially of two mutually insulated electric conductors which have respective surfaces following each other longitudinally of the track. These surfaces preferably extend helically about the axis of the track so as to jointly form the outer peripheral surface thereof. According to a more specific feature, one of the two conductors is constituted by a tightly wound helix of steel wire corresponding to the single track as heretofore known from the above-mentioned patent, whereas the second conductor consists of a strip of foil which is wound about the inner helix and insulated therefrom by an intermediate layer or coating so as to leave a helical strip surface of the inner conductor exposed. If

desired, however, the inner conductor may consist of a better electrically conducting material, such as a litz wire of copper, which is likewise provided with a helical winding constituting the second conductor. The second conductor may consist of copper tape or nickel-plated copper tape of foil thickness. According to another alternative feature of my invention, the inner helix of the track member may be provided with two mutually insulated helical surface tapes to serve as the two conductors. In

ice

addition to, or in lieu of, the flexible single-track members, rigid track rods, having substantially the same helical design of its two conductors, may be used in the track layout.

The helical tape or tapes placed upon the core helix are so tightly wound at a fixed pitch that uniform longitudinal spacings between the individual strip surfaces are preserved. The current source, such as a transformer or transformer-rectifier combination energized from an outlet of a utility line, has its two terminals connected to the respective two conductors of the single track.

Consequently, the two contact brushes, consisting preferably of elastic material, slide along the single track so that one of them will engage one conductor and the other brush the other conductor of the track for energizing the motor. When, during travel of the vehicle, one contact brush passes from one to the adjacent conductor, the second brush simultaneously also changes its contact engagement with respect to the two conductors, so that the motor remains energized and, since its running direction is independent of the polarity of the energizing current, keeps the vehicle running in the same direction. This requires that the longitudinal spacing between the contact brushes be equal to that of the conductor helical surface areas or an integral multiple thereof.

With an accurate dimensioning of the above-described spacing, a short-circuiting of the motor is prevented. However, a narrow insulating strip, formed by the abovementioned insulating layer or coating, may be left between the helical strip areas of the two conductors forrning the single track so that, even if the spacing of the brushes is slightly inaccurate, no short-circuit is encountere-d because the motor becomes temporarily disconnected as the contact brushes change from one to the other conductor helical surface. The momentum of the vehicle, once placed in motion, or the effect of flywheel action of the motor-driven gears, then keeps the vehicle in motion beyond the electrically dead position between the adjacent conductor surface areas.

Further objects and features of my invention will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the embodiment of a toy according to the invention illustrated by way of example on the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a single-track member connected to a current source.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a coupling location between two longitudinally adjacent track members.

FIG. 3 is a lateral view of a track member showing schematically the electric connection between the member and the drive motor of the vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal, vertical section through a toy vehicle according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partly sectional front view of the same vehicle.

FIG. 6 shows a coupling member for joining two track members.

FIG. 7 is a schematic electric circuit diagram of the toy.

FIG. 8 is a side view and FIG. 9 a longitudinal section of a modified track member.

The toy vehicle according to FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises a frame structure 11 and a body structure 12. .Tournalled in the frame structure are the rear running wheels 13 of which one or both are fixed to the wheel axle. Also journalled in the frame structure are two front wheels 14. A swivel pin 15 is mounted in the frame structure and connected with a fork member 16 between whose legs a leading guide wheel 17 is journalled. Fork 16 and wheel 17 are rotatable about the axis of the swivel pin 15. The front wheels 14 do not touch the trackway, i.e. the floor, table, or other playing surface onto which the single-track layout is placed and which is drivingly engaged by the driven rear wheel of the vehicle.

Mounted on the frame structure 11 is an electric motor gearing with thus'will follow any curvatures in the track layout, thereby steering the vehicle.

During travel, electric current is supplied to the motor '21 from the track; 20 by meansof two contact brushes 18 and 19 which are insulated from each other and fastened to the frame structure'of' the vehicle. "The two contact with the motor as is schematically shown in FIG. 7 where the armaturefof the'motor is denoted 'by 22 and its field winding by 23. A switch 24 permits changing'the polarity brushes, consisting of springs, are electrically connected outer sleeve. The inner pin has a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the conductor helix which forms the coreof the track members, whereas the outer sleeve is dimensioned to engage the conductor tape winding and is given a helical portion which forms a continuous connection between the respective tape windings of the two track members to be joined. In such a coupling device, the connecting pin secures'the necessary mechanical connection as well as the electricconnection between the respective core members of the track, whereb as the outer sleeve need only be designed to establish an electric connection between the tape windings. It should be noted, however, that evenif the coupling does not preserve accurate pitch spacing but provides an electri- 'cally insulating gap, the vehicle will pass over the coupling and continue running onaccount of the above- I mentionedmomentum or fly-wh'eeliactionof connection for the field winding 23 in order to reverse the travelling direction of the vehicle. The switch 24 is I mounted on the frame structure as shown in FIG. 4. v

Each individual track member of the track layoutis composed of two electric conductors which, as explained above, have respective helical strip surfaces alternately following each other longitudinally of'the track member. At any time, the brush contacts 18 and 19 engage the respective strip surfaces of different conductors so as to keep the motor energized during vehicular'travel, with the exception of the momentary'cu-rrent interruption occurring as the brushes pass from one conductor to the other.

As shown in FIG. 7, the two conductors are connected to a current source 25 such as a stepedown transformer whose input terminals 26 are to-be connected toa utility line outlet as available in home installations. If desired,

the power source 25 may be provided with a rectifier to supply direct current to the motor. A low motor voltage, for example about 5 volts, 'is'suflicient and is Y preferable for preventing sparking,

In the embodiment of the single-track membershown A in FIG. 1, the helical conductor surfaces of the member are formed as follows; The track member comprises a flexible innerhelix 26- of steel wire, litz wire, or the like, If desired, the inner core may also consist of a rigidrod. The corej26 is provided with a winding 27 7 According to another feature, a coupling device as described above is preferably fastened'on-a foot plate of insulating material which rests upon the floor, table, or other playing surface, and, by resulting friction, keeps the-coupling location more reliably in proper position to prevent inadvertent loosening. However, the 'mechan-ical and electrical, connection of the' track members may also be effected without such a f Ot pl-ate.

A-- coupling device embodying the foregoing features is illustrated in FIGSQZ and 6. v The coupling comprises an inner coupling pin 28 and an outer sleeve 29 insulated from each other and mounted on a foot plate 30. The pin engages with its two: ends the respective bones of thehelicallcores 26a and "26b in the two track members to be joined. :The sleeve 29 has a top portion 29a shaped as a helical turn. The dimensioning of the sleeve is such that when thetwo track members are completely stuck onto the pinr28, the helical portion 29a of sleeve '29 is properly spaced from the adjacent turns 27a and 27bof the respective tape windings, and the rest of the sleeve-portion 29 connects these tape windings electrically with each other.

In the 'modified track member shown in FIGS 8 and 9, the helical core 31 of steel wire is not used'for conducting current but carries, an insulation 32 ofinsulating tape, for" example.

Wound upon the insulation are two conductor tapes 33 and 34 of copper for connection to the respective two terminals of the'current source 'and for engagement'by the respective two contact lenses of the toy vehicles. 7 j

.It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, upon studying this disclosure, that my invention permits of strip but has slightly greater width so as to laterally prot-rude at least on one'side beyond the width. of the copper strip for the purpose of providing the above-mentioned electrically dead intervals to prevent a short circuit even if inaccuracies in mutual spacing occur on the track or on the vehicle. v I

It is necessary to produce the track members in such a manner that the mutual spacing between the helical turns will remain constant'even after prolonged use of the toy and after frequent assembling and di'sasser'nbling' l of the track layout. This can be achieved by winding the copper-foil strips of suitable thickness together with their rearward insulation of synthetic plastic in hot condition onto the inner helix 26. "This secures a reliable adherence of the wound foilstrips. wardly insulated foil strip may also be secured to the inner conductor by cementing. I

For mechanically and electrically connecting two consecutive track members with each other so as .to preserve However, if desired, the rearvarious modifications and may be given embodiments other than particularly illustrated and described herein, withoutdeparting from the essential features 'of my invention and within the scope of the claims annexed hereto;

I'claim: I r

1, In a vehicular toy having a single track line bendable into various desired shapes and having a driven vehicle' with rear wheelsand a swivelled leading trackfollower' wheel ridable on the track line for steering the vehicle, the improvement comprising a track-line member having two coaxial mutually insulated conductor meansfor connection to a current source, said conductor means forming longitudinally alternate and uniformly spaced contact. surfaces respectively, said vehicle having a propulsion motor of polarity-independentrunning direction and having two mutually insulated contact means connected with said motor and engageable with'respectivecontact surfaces of said two. conductor means for energizing said motor, said track-line member having a the proper longitudinal spacing'between the helical condevices which comprise an inner coupling pin and an flexible core and having two helical conductor tapes wound upon said core so as-to form said respective uniformly spaced contact'surfaceaflsaid tapes being electrically'insulated from eachother. V

d 2. In avehicular toy having a-single-track line bendable into various desired shapes and having a driven vehicle with rear wheels and a swivelled leading track-follower wheel ridable on the track line for steering the vehicle, the improvement comprising a tracleline member having two mutually insulated conductor means for connection to a current source, said conductor means forming longitudinally alternate and uniformly spaced contact surfaces respectively, said vehicle having a propulsion motor of polarity-independent running direction and having two mutually insulated contact means connected with said motor and engageable with respective contact surfaces of said two conductor means for energizing said motor, one of said conductor means of said track member forming a substantially tubular core, and said other conductor means being a conductive tape helically wound about said core, and insulating material between said core and the rear side on said tape, said track line comprising a plurality of longitudinally aligned track members and a coupling between each two of said members, said coupling having a central electric connector pin frictionally engageable with the respective bores of the respective tubular cores of the two members to be coupled, and said coupling having a metal sleeve insulated from said pin and conductively engageable with the respective tapes of said two members.

3. In a single-track vehicular toy according to claim 2, said coupling comprising a base plate having a largearea bottom surface, said pin and said sleeve being rigidly attached to said base plate.

4. In a vehicular toy having a single-track line bendable into various desired shapes and having a driven vehicle with rear wheels and a swivelled leading track-follower wheel ridable on the track line for steering the vehicle, the improvement comprising a track-line member having two mutually insulated conductor means for connection to a current source, said conductor means forming longitudinally alternate and uniformly spaced contact surfaces respectively, said vehicle having a propulsion motor of polarity-independent running direction and having two mutually insulated contact means connected with said motor and engageable with respective contact surfaces of said two conductor means for energizing said motor, said track-line member having a flexible core of helical steel wire, an insulation on said core, and two helical conductor tapes wound upon said insulation so as to form said respective uniformly spaced contact surfaces, said tapes being electrically insulated from each and from said core by said insulation.

5. In a vehicular toy having a single-track line bendable into various desired shapes and having a driven vehicle with rear wheels and a swivelled leading track-follower wheel ridable on the track line for steering the vehicle, the improvement comprising a track-line member having two coaxial mutually insulated conductor means for connection to a current source, said conductor means forming longitudinally alternate and uniformly spaced contact surfaces respectively, said vehicle having a propulsion motor of polarity-independent running direction and having two mutually insulated contact means connected with said motor and engageable with respective contact surfaces of said two conductor means for en ergizing said motor, one of said conductor means of said track member forming a substantially tubular core, and said other conductor means being a conductive tape helically wound about said core, and insulating material between said core and the rear side of said tape.

6. In a vehicular toy having a single-track line bendable into various desired shapes and having a driven vehicle with rear wheels and a swivelled leading track-follower wheel ridable on the track line for steering the vehicle, the improvement comprising a track-line member having two coaxial mutually insulated conductor means for connection to a current source, said conductor means forming longitudinally alternate and uniformly spaced contact surfaces respectively, said vehicle having a propulsion motor of polarity-independent running direction and having two mutually insulated contact means connected with said motor and engageable with respective contact surfaces of said two conductor means for energizing said motor, one of said conductor means of said track member consisting of a flexible core helix of metal, said other conductor means consisting of copper tape helically wound about said core helix, and insulating material between the rear side of said tape and said core helix.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,740,496 12/ 29 Cassidy et al. 2,068,403 1/ 37 Ekstrom. 2,112,072 3/38 Cullen 104--60 2,232,222 2/41 Flinn. 2,691,946 10/54 Marrno 191-10 X 2,717,557 9/55 Seylfer 104-60 X 2,821,938 2/58 Muller 104-245 2,836,129 5/58 .leager 104120 FOREIGN PATENTS 708,187 4/54 Great Britain.

764,151 12/56 Great Britain.

EUGENE G. BOTZ, Primary Examiner.

JAMES S. SHANK, PHlLIP ARNOLD, LEO QUACK- ENBUSH, Examiners. 

1. IN A VEHICULAR TOY HAVING A SINGLE TRACK LINE BENDABLE INTO VARIOUS DESIRED SHAPES AND HAVING A DRIVEN VEHICLE WITH REAR WHEELS AND A SWIVELLED LEADING TRACKFOLLOWER WHEEL RIDABLE ON THE TRACK LINE FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A TRACK-LINE MEMBER HAVING TWO COAXIAL MUTUALLY INSULATED CONDUCTOR MEANS FOR CONNECTION TO A CURRENT SOURCE, SAID CONDUCTOR MEANS FORMING LOGITUDINALLY ALTERNATE AND UNIFORMLY SPACED CONTACT SURFACES RESPECTIVELY, SAID VEHICLE HAVING A PROPULSION MOTOR OF POLARITY-INDEPENDENT RUNNING DIRECTION AND HAVING TWO MUTUALLY INSULATED CONTACT MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID MOTOR AND ENGAGEABLE WITH RESPECTIVE CONTACT SURFACES OF SAID TWO CONDUCTOR MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR, SAID TRACK-LINE MEMBER HAVNG A FLEXIBLE CORE AND HAVING TWO HELICAL CONDUCTOR TAPES WOUND UPON SAID CORE SO AS TO FORM SAID RESPECTIVE UNIFORMLY SPACED CONTACT SURFACES, SAID TAPES BEING ELECTRICALLY INSULATED FROM EACH OTHER. 